How to Find a Nashville Therapist for Depression
If you find yourself struggling to get out of bed, losing interest in things you typically enjoy, and feeling a sense of sadness or hopelessness, you may be suffering from depression.Fortunately, a licensed mental health therapist can help you decrease the severity of your symptoms and also better understand the root causes beneath them.If you’re interested in starting the process of finding a therapist in Nashville, The Becoming can help.Cindy Slover, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Mental Health Service Provider, shares advice about how to find the right person and what to expect from your first visit.
What to Look for in a Therapist
With so many mental health professionals to choose from in the Nashville area, Slover believes it’s important to look for someone with experience, but also someone you can connect with.
“You need to find somebody that you can relate to, that kind of has a similar background. Maybe someone who has been through their own depression or has dealt with feelings of anxiety.”
In her own counseling sessions, Slover often tries to give her clients the space to lead the conversation, because she understands that some people are more comfortable with opening up than others.
“Sometimes I will give them my background just to kind of help them ease into the situation and kind of let them know where I’m coming from... This is a safe place and you can share as little or as much as you feel comfortable with,” she shares.
That sense of safety is one of the most important things that sets The Becoming apart from some other counseling facilities.From the physical space at our Sylvan Park office or telehealth sessions, to the way our team interacts with each client, everything is intentionally designed to help you feel safe and comfortable.
How Does Therapy Help with Depression?
When looking for a therapist in Nashville, it’s also important to understand that different individuals have their own unique backgrounds, specialties and treatment methods.The Becoming team is equipped with a wide range of tools to help our clients, and because of that, we’re able to develop a counseling program that’s tailored to you and your needs.For many individuals with depression — especially those who are trying therapy for the first time — one of the most valuable things a therapist can provide is simply a space to verbally process their thoughts and emotions.
“First and foremost, I think what somebody will benefit from is just having somebody say, ‘It’s OK. It’s OK that you don’t feel great all the time. You don’t have to have the weight of the world on your shoulders.’ We’re here to kind of listen and help, because sometimes the listening ear is really what people are looking for,” Slover explains.
Slover typically uses a person-centered approach to therapy, but each counselor at The Becoming has their own unique specialties, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems therapy, and more.Slover sometimes uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy strategies to help clients struggling with depression, as well. CBT is a type of treatment where individuals learn to notice and change their thoughts, such as learning to accept positive feedback instead of only focusing on the negative. Slover shares that this involves asking questions like:
“What are you telling yourself internally? Are you beating yourself up, and can we change that narrative to something more positive and more encouraging?”
What to Expect When Starting Therapy for Depression
Once you’ve found a therapist and are ready to start meeting, Slover says the best way to prepare for your first session is to keep an open mind.Many individuals with depression may put off going to therapy because they don’t feel ready to talk vulnerably about their thoughts and feelings, but the more willing you are to open up, the more your counselor will be able to help you heal.And even though having the right mindset can make a difference, the most important thing is to simply make the appointment and show up. Slover encourages people struggling with depression to take that first big leap, saying:
“The hardest decision is to make the decision to come. I believe that if you can get up the courage to make the phone call and set up the appointment, that the hard part is getting in the door. And then once you’re in the door it becomes easier with every step that you take.”
Find a Nashville Therapist for Depression Today
If you’re ready to get help with managing your depression, The Becoming is ready to support you. Our Client Coordinators can match you with one of our licensed counselors and set you up with a remote or in-person session in Nashville.Don’t put off the healing process any longer. Call us now at (615) 709-2020, or send us a message to have one of our Client Coordinators help you find the right mental health counselor for you.